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Criminal

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My stepbrother was my protector. My savior. He would have done anything for me.

Then I watched him fall into a life of crime and corruption, and I thought I lost him forever.

Now he's pulling me into his world and he has me exactly where he wants me. I thought two years without a word would free of my feelings but all it takes is one look and I melt, one touch and I'm craving more.

I've been dragged back into his life and pulled back into his arms, and if I want him to save me I'm going to have to save him from himself, no matter what it takes.

I love the man he could be and hate the man he's become. He was my hero, once. Now he could be again.

234 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

90 people are currently reading
1597 people want to read

About the author

Alexis Abbott

58 books1,747 followers
Alexis Abbott is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author who writes about dangerous men and the women who love them. If you can't resist a bad boy who is a good man, you just found your next addiction. With heart-stopping action, mouth watering sex, and passionate romances that will leave you breathless, Alexis Abbott writes romantic thrillers like no one else can.

When she's not writing your next book boyfriend, you'll find her living a real life romance novel with her own bad boy soulmate in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada.

http://alexisabbott.com/newsletter

*****

Are you excited to hear about what I'm up to next? There's lots of ways to connect with me!

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Series

Alexis Abbott's Hitmen Series:
Owned by the Hitman (Hitman, #1) by Alexis Abbott Sold to the Hitman (Hitman, #2) by Alexis Abbott Saved by the Hitman by Alex Abbott Captive of the Hitman (Hitman #4) by Alexis Abbott Stolen from the Hitman (Hitman #5) by Alexis Abbott Taken by the Hitman (Hitman #7) by Alexis Abbott Hostage of the Hitman (Hitman #6) by Alexis Abbott

Bound to the Bad Boy Series:
Bound for Life (Bound to the Bad Boy, #1) by Alexis Abbott Bound to the Mafia (Bound to the Bad Boy, #2) by Alexis Abbott Bound in Love (Bound to the Bad Boy, #3) by Alexis Abbott

Standalones
Criminal by Alexis Abbott Ruthless by Alexis Abbott Sights on the SEAL by Alex Abbott [bc:Rock Hard Bodyguard|37327685|Rock Hard Bodyguard|Alexis Abbott|https://i.gr-assets

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
Profile Image for Cristina.
341 reviews334 followers
July 28, 2015
In order for this review to make any sense please read my previous review for this book that is below. Thank you!

I am utterly and completely shocked!!!

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I've written a few (hundred!) reviews in my time and some (dozens) have been arcs but never in my time has an author taken my review (along with other) and improved the book before release date (that I know of)!

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But in order for this to make sense I have to start from the beginning:

I received an email (newsletter) today from the author saying that Criminal was now released and it's Free on Amazon. So far so good because it's common for authors to announce this...but I was surprised by the statement (and I quote)

"Since you were offered the ARC, the book was still undergoing final edits, and I've made some changes based on reader feedback. Nothing to change the plot, just to make it read a bit better."

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That of course made me curious and taking advantage that it was a free book I downloaded it and read it again...and that's why my shocked face is on...because the author took into consideration the comments I've made about the things I did not enjoy about the book and did something about it.

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First of all the word cunny is totally gone...without a trace...

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...and it was replaced by pussy...so statements like:

"he stabs himself deep inside me, spilling that seed against my womb once more, flooding my cunny with his hot jism"

...and...

"that thick cock prods my tiny cunny"

...where replaced by:

"he stabs himself deep inside me, spilling that seed against my womb once more, flooding my pussy with his hot come" (she also got rid of the word jism here...it didn't bother me that much because I googled its meaning but I have to admit it was rather weird)

...and...

"that thick cock prods my tiny pussy"

Much better! Right?

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Secondly the creepy reference to each other as brother and sister has totally been altered and now there is no mention of the word "brother" or "sister" during sex :P

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I was finally able to enjoy the sex scenes and really get into them without bursting into laughter...because let me tell you...when this two come together it's HOT :P

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I also noticed that my girl Bianca stated in her review that she does not like (ok...hates) the word cum and guess what? The final version of the book does not contain the word cum when they are coming but has been replaced with come ;)

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And finally (and then I'm stopping) the author did a slight change in the scene where Abby finds out she's pregnant and even if she didn't delete her words she added some more that take the meaning from "I'm in denial and stupid because I don't know how babies are made" to "I'm in denial because I'm in shock".

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So because of this I've decided to change the rating of this book to 4 STARS and tell you that if you're a fan of stepbrother novels (like me!) then you should definitely give this novel a try...especially cause it's Free for a few more days.

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Previous review

I'm having serious mixed feelings about this novel. Sometimes I really liked it and considered it a 4 star book but other times not so much and it was 2 star tops...so I went with the middle and awarded it 3 stars.

What did I like about it?

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First of all the writing style. Even if there where a few irregularities with some words and expressions this is an arc so I totally looked past those. Usually if the writing is bad I quickly DNF a book and it wasn't the case here.

Secondly I'm a sucker for stepbrother novels so this book had that going for it :D

Now...what I didn't like ;)

The story fell a little flat at times and I kept wanting to skip ahead...not cool especially when those parts contain action that is supposed to get you attention...Right?

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Also the sex scenes were at times a little off for me...seriously...how would you feel reading this during a sex scene?

"That thick crown of his manhood spreading my cunny lips just a little, making me flower around him as he gives a low groan..."

or...

"that thick cock prods my tiny cunny"

and...

"his need to satiate that thick cock inside my cunny is too much..."

"he stabs himself deep inside me, spilling that seed against my womb once more, flooding my cunny with his hot jism"

If I never read the word cunny ever again it will be to soon...

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Moving on...and past the very unrealistic first time experience and the fact that throughout the book the main characters have only unprotected sex...

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...to the fact that she keeps referring to him as her brother (!NOT stepbrother!!!) during sex but for a while I thought it's just her but then bamm...he tells her:

"I want to see your face while you come on your brothers cock."

"...you like being watched as you cum on your brother?"

and "my favorite"...

"I'm gona cum in you little sister,"

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And one more thing and then I'm ending this...she finds out she's pregnant and her first reaction is:

"There's no way this can be right. I can't be pregnant."

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To sum it up...this is a good book that with a little rewriting for the sex scenes and definitely different beta readers can become a great novel worthy of 4 stars and maybe even 5 by other standards...but meanwhile it barely makes it to 3...

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*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Alp.
763 reviews467 followers
October 17, 2016
3.25/5

Normally, forbidden love stories are my thing, but somehow, the idea of reading stepbrother/stepsister romances has never appealed to me. I’ve found many of those books to be a bit juvenile, really not to my liking. But since I enjoyed this author’s book, Owned by the Hitman, so I thought I might as well give this one a shot. And when I finished reading this book, it was pretty good and I found it a nice mix of angst, drama, and passion. The story had me engrossed right from the start. I enjoyed two main characters just fine and the sexual tension between Kaiden and Abby was off the charts.

However, for some reason, I felt like there was something missing from the story, yet I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly it was. And that’s the reason why I couldn’t rate this book more than 3 stars.

By the way, it was a bit dark, emotional, and sweet overall.
Profile Image for Shay.
213 reviews54 followers
July 22, 2015
I received a copy from the author for a review.

Abigail has to move into her step brother Kaiden's house after her dad and step mom wipe out her college fund to bail him out of jail. Then they both die leaving Abigail with no one but Kaiden. She doesn't get a free ride living with him though, she has to pay rent and since they live in a small town her options are limited. She ends up working in the seedy bar where Kaiden hangs out. Kaiden and Abigail used to be real close before he got in with a bad crowd. Now in order to keep Abigail safe Kaiden has been trying to keep her away. Kaiden's plans to keep her safe go awry when she takes the job. The bar is owned by the man who got Kaiden into trouble and now he has his sights set on Abigail.

This is my first step brother romance so maybe this is the norm but when she refers to her big brothers sex appeal just ew. There are many instances where she thinks of him as her brother, not step brother but brother and how sexy he is. I also don't feel any chemistry with them, there is defiantly love and affection which is normal with siblings. There is no mention of how long they have been siblings just that he was there when she turned fourteen.

She is oddly obsessed with his other sexual conquests. There are many strange slang words for vagina thrown through this book plus other words that just sound strange instead of educated like maw instead of mouth for example. The overuse of her calling him big brother in her mind and thinking of all his other sexual partners, makes me think this author is trying way to hard to be shocking. It doesn't come across to me as sexy or even taboo but makes me think Abigail is in need of serious therapy. It is one thing to find a step sibling attractive, whatever imo you aren't related by blood. When you think of or call them as a brother/sister though that is disturbing.

This seems to be an overdone theme. From the sound of other step brother romance I have looked into it is just like all the others. Step sister is a virgin good girl, step brother is a bad boy manwhore who is mean then nice to stepsister. They eventually have sex.

In the very beginning this books wasn't so bad but it then got gross then just laugh out loud ridiculous. Seriously in the midst of a dangerous situation that makes no since Abigail gets pulled away from Kaiden and he yells that he is her prince charming and he loves her.

I was left with some questions. Why did Abigail think continuing to work at the bar protected Kaiden? Why was Ryder threatening Kaiden, what did Kaiden do? Why did Ryder want Kaiden and Abigail dead? Why did Kaiden continue to hang out at the bar? It was like a bunch of made up shit to add suspense. Did everyone have bi polar? One minute they are nice then the next screaming, insulting and the nice again. The heroine is TSTL, nothing she did made any since.

I really tried but I just can't keep going. This is a DNF.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,565 reviews407 followers
July 25, 2015
This book surprised me. It's not one of your usual stepbrother romances. There are twists and turns and there is raw passion and emotion.
Abby needs her stepbrother's help. They grew up together but they drifted apart when he left.
Now, she needs a place to stay and he is her only solution. But Kaiden is not like he used to be. He is cocky, mean and very short with Abby. When she finally finds a job to support herself, she will also find herself in trouble. Because Kaiden is involved into dangerous things and when you do dirty business, you get dirty yourself.
When they are thrown together again, feelings will resurface and hidden secrets will be revealed. But danger and death lurk in the shadows.

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I loved the writing. The premise itself is very original and the way the story was written made the book refreshing. I loved how mysterious Kaiden was and I loved how determined Abby was to save him when he needed saving. Their passionate scenes were extremely sensual and their need to be with each other was addictive.

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I loved every second of the book.
My one complaint is that the ending seemed a bit contradictory to me. It seemed like Kaiden's actions didn't walk hand in hand with his words and the dramatic element fell a little flat in the end for me. Other than that, I highly recommend the book because it's sexy, passionate, edgy and gritty.

4 Stars from me!


I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Alex Abbott.

Release Date: July 26th
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,332 reviews1,342 followers
August 1, 2015

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3.9 stars

...and I feel like I should apologize to the author for the following words .... no offense intended! ♥

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Abigail was just about to head to college when her dad and step-mom died.
They left her with lots of debt and not a penny in her college fund - they used that money to bail out her step-brother Kaiden. But Kaiden is also the only family she has left now - the only place she can go to.
So now she lives with him and his nightly hook-ups.
Which would be bad enough to listen to, but then there's also this tiny little secret she kept since she was a teenie.... She's kinda in love with her step-brother.

When she starts working at the bar he hangs out, things get even more complicated. Kaiden doesn't want her to work there - he's somehow criminally involved with the owner.... But Abigail needs the money.

And poor Kaiden - of course he's in love with Abigail too - has been ever since he can remember - but he needs to try everything he can to push her away from him. She deserves better than his criminal ass.

But having her sleeping next door to his bedroom - is just way too close....

Can they stay away from each other?
Do they even have to??

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WILL HAPPEN TO ABIGAIL & KAIDEN??
WILL THEY GET HER HEA???
WILL THERE BE A CLIFFHANGER o.O

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WILL EVERYBODY DIE AT THE END?

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NOPE, I'm not telling you ☺

____________________________


I liked the book - I finished it in one afternoon.
The story is suspensy and sexy and the characters are very likable ☺

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But more than LIKE?? No :(((

I have some (ok, lots of) problems with the book :/
It starts with the writing - the words - it's like she used weird words and expressions and words from british english and AE and maybe that's what happens when you're canadian - no idea - but the book is set in California, so it should be American English. That's another thing - California - I think we don't find out where we are until VERY late into the book - that's a personal hard-limit for me, not knowing where a story is taking place.

Next hard-limit....

Most people probably won't be bothered by this...I'm just weird that way. ☺

When a book starts with a line that I hate - the book has a hard time making it up to me :/

"Oh Kaiden! Right there! Oh God, I'm going to cum!"


I just personally HATE the word cum. It always makes me feel like I'm watching a cheap porn movie. Just use COME, please.

And then lines like this (WARNING! Please close your eyes while reading the next quotes!!!)

"I want to see your face while you cum on your brother's cock."


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"I'm gonna cum in you, little sister.."


UGH - I know it's a step-brother-romance - but please!!!! This is just nasty! Is that the way we want our 22 year old hero to talk?? NO!
I realllly don't have anything against dirty talk ... but nope!

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I'm giving 3.9 stars and not less because I kinda liked the story - even though the story itself was kinda weird too.

Like the money Kaiden has hidden away in safety deposit boxes? Um yeah - nope - no tiny little criminal can make that much money in three years! Ridiculous. How much money you ask??? →

There wasn't really any story - no backstory at all. There's just weird sex and some tiny little talks about what happened when they were kids, but nothing deep and explanatory.
Maybe with another 150 pages and a good editor, the story could've been great. ☺

But - like I said - 3.9 stars - because I liked Kaiden and Abigail and the story had potential ☺ But the cover was much prettier than the story ...

If you like sexy & suspensy Step-Brother-Romances....
GO AND BUY THE BOOK!!!! ☺
Don't let me influence you in any way - it's all just my weird opinion ☺




Smokin Hot Book Blog Email

Profile Image for Chris.
1,316 reviews38 followers
June 30, 2022
2.5 Princess Stars

Abigail and Kaiden's story... This genre is one of my favorites but "Criminal" was somewhat boring... I liked the basic story-line but after each turn, I really wanted for their story to end...
Profile Image for Laura.
328 reviews7 followers
September 14, 2015
*ARC given for a honest review*

If you were to go through my reviews and books read you would see that I enjoy stepbrother books, so when I am approached by an author to review one I am all over that. I love a good stepbrother book that has a whirlwind romance, that they don't acknowledge each other as brother and sister and did not grow up as brother and sister. See my thing is if you were raised as brother and sister from a young age then I don't think you should really be attracted to each other sexually because that's just weird, however if your parents get married when you are older (middle school or older) and you weren't raised together I see nothing wrong with a relationship. This book is more of the first. They were raised as brother and sister. Abby refers to Kaiden as her big brother and her hero (in a brotherly way). I could have moved past the part that they were raised as brother and sister if they would have stopped referring to each other as brother and sister, even during sex. *gasp* I know!

"It's such a beautiful thing to be manhandled by my big brother, knowing he wants me so very, very bad."

Umm ok well that's weird right and just kind of wrong, but it gets worse. Wait for it.....

"For how lewd and raunchy it was to f(u)c(k) my own brother, he makes the aftermath sweet. Caring."

"His pace is quickening, and I can hear the bed groan and creak beneath us as my brother f(u)c(k)s me harder, faster."

"I'm gonna come in you, little sister."

Alrighty. Their relationship is considered forbidden to begin with, but when you start referring to each other DURING sex as brother and sister it's just gross. And believe me I have read a lot of these books and never once came out of it feeling dirty, but this one I did. Their relationship would have actually been pretty cute and I would have enjoyed their story a lot if it wouldn't have been for the brother/sister thing. That just made it weird and uncomfortable to read.
On the plus side the book is really well written.
Profile Image for Book-Bosomed  blog.
516 reviews259 followers
January 27, 2016
Abby Tuney is down on her luck. And that’s almost putting it mildly. Her parents are gone, she has no money, and the only place she has to live is with her rough and rowdy older step-brother, Kaiden, who treats her like crap. Once her hero and the object of her crush, their relationship is now strained to say the least.

Abby and Kaiden both land themselves in a dangerous situation so the story has a distinct desolate feel. It borders on the angsty side of fiction, and both characters were a little too fickle, too much hot & cold, too much running away for my tastes.

All in all, taking the book as I whole, I didn’t dislike Abby or Kaiden but I didn’t love them either. Abby is a little naïve at times; Kaiden a little too uncouth and stubborn. Kaiden definitely didn’t make me all warm and fuzzy about him from the opening. Abby might have been aroused by him banging other women in the room next to hers before they get together but that type of thing is a big turn off for me. As the story progressed I worked past it but then Kaiden would bring up those women when they’re intimate, and I was reminded once again what didn’t endear me to him in the beginning.

The sex scenes are definitely dirty—literally at times. And when Kaiden isn’t referencing the women before her, Abby isn’t referring to her “cunny”, and neither of them are labeling each other as actual siblings, it’s pretty hot.

“In all my fantasies, I never knew it could feel like this, and my hands grip the cheap sheets as he impales me. He feels so hot, so thick, and I can feel the beating of his heart through his huge tool. Every pulse resonates through me, and for the first time, we’re really, truly linked.”

I give points for Kaiden redeeming himself in the end, although the ending felt a little rushed. I wanted a little more of how things worked out.



All in all, the premise showed potential. A little more character and story development (what happened to Abby’s other parent? Did Kaiden have a last name?) and a bit of grammar/writing clean up (there were also many sentences that told the story in both present and past tense) would make it stronger.

It will most appeal to die hard readers of edgier step-sibling romances (it follows all the typical step-sibling tropes). Readers of action-adventure romance will also enjoy the light suspense and outside the law plot.
Profile Image for ↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝.
1,296 reviews140 followers
August 9, 2015
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He was her big brother, her hero, her Prince Charming, her everything, but now he's just a criminal.
“Kaiden is six-foot-five and two-hundred-fifty pounds of muscle, easy. I can’t deny that I can see what other women see in him. The appeal of that kind of guy. The one with muscles and pierced nipples, and who, for some horrible reason, decides to go around topless all the time around his house. His house, his rules. That’s his motto.”
Ok, so Kaiden was quite delish. Well, except his insistance on telling her about other women while fucking her. No girl wants to hear that. Still it was sexy, sinful, sweaty fucking.
I'm not sure I've ever read a step-brother romance where they grew up together, most are a short marriage between parents, they weren't aware their parents were together, or something like that. Not sure when the parents got together, but the kids were barely teens, and most certainly raised as a family.
A taboo subject to most, but whatever, it is what it is. I do feel the taboo aspect was overemphasized with the repeatative big brother or step brother comments, especially during sex scenes.
“I'm licking my step-brother's cock.”
“I'm gonna cum in you, little sister,”
“You like being watched as you cum on your brother? As you feel his cock throb inside you, ready to burst?”

This had a slightly grittier feel, than other SBR I've read. That was refreshing, but by no means is this a dark romance.
There was a bit of mystery to it, but it was also lacking details that would have made it tie together better. Whether they are to be assumed or just forgotten I don't know, but fact line up is askew because of it.
This takes place in the U.S., however there were quite a few non-American words and phrases throughout. Not sure I know any Americans that would randomly think “his thick cock prods at my tiny cunny” .
Overall this was a quick, steamy read. If you like SBR, you're bound to love it.


Did you see that cover?!?!?
Did you read that blurb?!?!?
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*ARC provided in exchange for a honest opinion*
Profile Image for Mercedes.
563 reviews105 followers
July 23, 2015

There were parts of this book that I really liked but overall I was left wanting more, yearning for a more in depth connection with the characters.

Abigail was a pretty resilient girl, and despite the fact that Kaiden called her "princess" she was actually pretty tough. She went through a lot after there parents died and she kept working toward what she wanted.

Kaiden was the quintessential bad-boy step-brother. He had tattoos, piercings, rode a motorcycle and was involved in some less than legal endeavors. I wish that we were given more information about his illegal business dealings, it was hard to care about his legal troubles when I didn't really understand what he was involved with in the first place.

I felt like I didn't get enough information in this book. I wanted more detail about there lives as step-siblings when they lived together and when he first left. I wanted more info about his illegal dealings. I wanted more info about each of them, a more solid idea of who Kaiden and Abigail were.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Haidoulina.
777 reviews110 followers
July 19, 2015
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Well, what can I say about this book without giving spoilers??? I liked the criminal touch, the gang member thing and I was really enjoying the book till the beginning of the sex between the characters...

Don't get me wrong, I knew what I was reading, I was expecting the sex to happen but the scenes weren't sexy, they're funny because of the use of the vocabulary... They were times that the heroes fucked their brains out and I was laughing hysterical because of the way the scene was described... And it was really annoying the repeat of something among the lines: "He's my brother I can't do this with him,I have to stop but his fucking me so well I don't want to stop..." And I was like: "Hello you're not related by blood,stop this crap already.." You get the picture,right??? And after all that sex the end was a bit predictable and a little bit rushed I think...

I think the author had a really good idea about this book but it didn't work so well in the end for me... The book left me hanging about some things, like what Kaiden was really doing for the gang and especially about the background story of the heroes and I needed more of Kaiden's pov in the book....

But I appreciate the fact that it was a short book... I read it in 4-5 hours.... That's a bonus....
Profile Image for Charlie.
865 reviews156 followers
November 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this! I only wish it had been longer.

Kaiden. Hmm he was yummy. Tall, tattooed, and oh so intense. Yes please. Kaiden is out on parole, he's dangerous and broody. He's starts off as a right ass but by the end he's very sweet (in his coixky, rough way).

I really liked Abby. She has every reason to be eternally pissed at Kaiden for his bullshit, the fact that he's panty melting hot helps her forgive him :D. She's strong and independent which I totally loved.

This was a really enjoyable and hot story, if a little short.

**An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for m..
836 reviews82 followers
July 17, 2016
2 "It was...alright?" Stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this good? Not really... Was it alright? Yeah, I guess. If you’re someone who’s usually drawn towards books that are classified as stepbrother romance, I’m about 95% sure you’ll like this book... I just personally don't like them. But really, one can’t always expect to fall head over heels in love with every book he/she reads, right?

Criminal is about a girl named Abigail who, after her father and stepmother die in a car accident, has no other choice than asking hospitality from her stepbrother, Kaiden. He wouldn’t be her first choice, but with their parent’s debts crashing down on Abigail, her college money having been used to bail Kaiden, she isn’t left with much of a choice. And, well, Kaiden doesn’t like it either. Abigail has been attracted to him for a long time, and when she discovers the feelings might be mutual, she doesn’t know what to do. Kaiden is trouble. He’s a criminal. And she doesn’t want to get involved in any kind of trouble. The problem is, she might very well already be…



So, the story was ok. There was a bit of suspense and a bit of action that kept me reading. I enjoyed both of the main characters, even Abigail. By that, I mean that I’m the kind of reader who usually gets easily annoyed with main female character. I don’t know why... I just do. But surprisingly Abigail didn’t annoy me so much. She's not one of the best heroines I've read about, but again, she was ok. I sure had my moments where I felt like strangling her, but really, that’s what reading is all about, isn’t it?! As for Kaiden, I enjoyed him! It wasn’t an “Ohmygod, I need to find myself a Kaiden of my own” for me, but it was more “I liked this guy, he’s hot”, which, if you ask me, is quite good too.



Anyway, I have some mixed feelings about this book. That’s mainly why I gave it 2 stars. The main reason is that I felt like I didn’t quite understand WHY or WHEN their relationship started. I mean, sure throughout the book there are some “flashbacks” that are meant to "explain" their story. However, even with that, I didn’t get why they were in LOVE. They cared for each other, that much was quite obvious, but I don’t know, I just felt like the word “love” suddenly came out of nowhere. It just felt a bit… I don’t know, rushed? That might very well be just me, though, that’s why I love it when the two main characters don’t know each other at the beginning of a story, I think it makes it easier to understand why they fall in love in the first place.



I wouldn’t consider this book a “MUST-READ”, and I probably wouldn’t read it again, but it was alright! Plus, it’s quite a short book, about 150 pages, so it’s rather an easy and entertaining book. If you like Stepbrother romance, I say you should go for it!
Profile Image for Booklover.
193 reviews38 followers
August 1, 2015

There was so many things I did not like about this story, it's not the worst stepbrother romance I've read but it just bugged me and bored me in so many places.



Profile Image for Sivutha.
634 reviews79 followers
July 20, 2015
4 Criminal Stars

Abby just turn eighteen and also virgin who has been in love with her stepbrother Kaiden for as long as she knows it. Kaiden on the other hands thought he was not good enough for Abby, so he decided to push her away by leaving her. Since Abby was homeless, she ended up moving in with Kaiden that is where our story begins......

This book would have been 5 stars if the book was a little longer and the Hero doesn't sleep around so much. I understand that he shouldn't be feeling that way towards his Stepsister but they are not blood related. I still think it's not ok for him to parade all those women every night since Abby was sleeping next room over. I'm not a fan at all in that part of the book. Also, don't compare her to other women while they were doing the dirty deeds. No, no in my book.


Received ARC/R2R for my honest review.
Profile Image for Mojo_Mama.
1,586 reviews829 followers
January 26, 2016
1.5 stars

The H has had the shit beat out of him, broken ribs and bloody cuts. The h is a virgin...which we don't learn until the moment of truth is upon us. But he takes her like a champ and she multi-orgasms.

*eye-roll*

I need to stop reading this genre again for awhile.

The writing was fine. But novellas suck because the character development is sorely lacking and sometimes taboo sex and plot, sparingly delivered, just aren't enough.

The slump continues.
Profile Image for Swinging.
88 reviews
March 19, 2018
This is a hard one to review. I don't want to tear apart the book, because in all honesty I thought it was okay more than I thought WTF? But that's just it, I thought it was okay, not good or great. I will probably never open it up on my kindle and reread it ever. There were too many quirks that just annoyed me.



You know what, I could go on, but typing this up and reliving why this book didn't work for me just kinda zapped my energy to talk about it. I would've liked to at least give it three stars, but three stars means it's a good book, and it really wasn't good to me, it was okay. So two stars it is. It makes me sad, I wanted to like this book, I really liked Kadien and Abby in the beginning, but by the end I just couldn't seem to care much.
Profile Image for Rachele.
706 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2015
3.5 stars

This was not the first "step brother" story I have read so I was prepared for the typical dialogue and characters taboo feelings that seemed to bother some readers.

Well let's see where to begin....without giving away the storyline. Abigail is forced to move in with her step-brother Kaiden, who is not happy to have her around. He makes that crystal clear with his words, attitude, charging for rent and parade of women. Because of the way he acts and treats Abigail it's hard to like him and forge a connection to these characters.

A never really felt that "spark" between Abigail and Kaiden but that might be due to him being a huge asshole and manwhore who can't seem to make up his mind, he is quite wishy washy. Then there is the story...wow lots and lots of drama. I remember thinking if this is happening a third into this what else will we read. There is a lot packed into a relatively quick read. If you enjoy a little taboo, lots of drama and some steamy scenes you should enjoy this quick read.


I was given an ARC for an honest review.

Profile Image for ***Cheryl***.
762 reviews27 followers
July 27, 2015
I’m a little torn as I’m writing this review because as with other reviews in some parts this book was a strong 4 star read but then at other only a 2 star. I have read a few step-brother romance stories over the last view months so I was looking forward to this one.

The story is about Kaiden and Abby. Abby has to go and live with Kaiden after her parents death. Abby has been in love with Kaiden for years the only problem is that she is her stepbrother. What follows is a story of forbidden romance with some drama and action thrown in.

For me I liked the action and drama within the story I always feels it adds to the story however for me at times I felt it was often resolved a little too quickly.

One major issue for me when reading was the way that Kaiden and Abbey referred to each other. I understand that it’s a step-brother romance story but when the main characters refer to each other a brother and sister during sex and in monologue of thought it just felt wrong reading. It just but me off a little and I found myself skimming over those parts.

As I read an ARC version of this book the author has made some edits so I’m not sure if this had been changed and as it currently free on Amazon I may download to read at some point.

Over all this story had lots of potential to be a great story but it just didn’t quite do it for me, however I will certainly look out for other books by author Alex Abbott in the future.

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,521 reviews320 followers
January 21, 2016
This was a pretty good book. I normally don't read step-brother romance, but this one was pretty good. Abigail has had a crush on her stepbrother Kaiden since she was 15 and he was 18. They both tried to deny and run from them. Kaiden got into some trouble and her parents died and she had nowhere to go but to Kaiden's he takes her in, but he pushes her away. They are both still fighting their attraction for each other. Neither will tell each other of their feelings though. Kaiden still wants to do nothing but protect Abigail, but he treated her badly and she thought she hated him for costing her the chance of college. Despite trying to protect Abigail, she ends up being a pawn between Kaiden and his criminal friends. Both are in the desert about to be executed, but fight their way out. Kaiden suffers some broken ribs and other injuries, but they do escape, for the time being. They find a motel where they had stayed as a family years before. There was only one room with one bed. Abigail struggles and keeps telling herself it is wrong, but eventually they both give in to their instinctual desires. Abagail is a virgin since she only wanted Kaiden to deflower her. The sex scenes are pretty hot. This book was well written with no errors in spelling or grammar this was my first time reading this author, but not my last.



Profile Image for Chantal ❤️.
1,361 reviews912 followers
June 6, 2016
Out of the park HOT! Wow I could not believe how amazingly hot this book was. The story made sense and I was going to stop reading when he was having sex with another woman and she could over hear them. Or should I say OW because he was strangely very silent. (But I always prided myself on the fact that once I decide to read a book, I finish it. It's a commitment and I take it seriously.) It was just a crazy story about step-siblings whom have always had strong feelings for each other. What I loved about this story is that they actually share a past that is very peppered with nice and naughty elements. I enjoyed the heroine more then I thought I would, giving the fact that she was very innocent at the beginning, and the hero was trying so hard to protect her. This alpha male l is OTT about the woman in his heart, his step-sister, the heroine. I enjoyed this more then I thought I would. Keeper.
This one was more dirty then I thought and it worked for me. Wow who knew?
Please note he does not cheat on her after they start a physical relationship and that he thought he was protecting the heroine by making her want to leave. Yes it's a crazy but he is a criminal here guys and an uneducated one at that.
Profile Image for Dino-Jess ✮ The Book Eating Dinosaur ✮.
660 reviews18 followers
December 10, 2015
I was so hungover yesterday that I couldn't face reading something heavy, so I started this bad boy.

I think I chose well.

This was just what I needed. It was hot. It was silly and it was just what I like, a little bit dirty and taboo.

There was plenty wrong with it, Abigail was as stubborn as a mule, Kaiden somehow thought it was a good idea to compare Abigail to the other women he had been with, while he was banging her... And the whole danger/blackmail/gang thing didn't really work for me, but hey, the porn like dialogue and Kaiden's surprising moments of sweetness, made up for it.

The sex in this is most definitely not safe. But I can see why the author chose to let it play out that way.

The ending of this story is such a fucking cheese fest it was ridiculous, but I really enjoyed it.

Some of the dialogue was laugh out loud and cringe worthy, but I'm giving it points for entertainment value.

This was an enjoyable short, hot, read. I love when an amazon freebie turns out to be decent!

3 so-wrong-its-right Stars
Profile Image for Whitney Cannavina.
Author 8 books127 followers
November 26, 2016
Stepbrother romance with lots of tension and heat!

Abigail lives with her stepbrother Kaiden whom is an official bad boy. Been arrested, in and out of trouble, and a sex god she can't help but want. So begging him to let her stay with him until she finds a job was more than she bargained for. Especially since now she works with him at a trashy bar. But he has secrets that she uncovers that explain his attitude. And hopes she can help

Kaiden doesn't want Abigail around his life. Bringing women home nightly, and constantly giving her grief for being there doesn't seem to get her to leave, and now she's in more trouble than she realizes just by working at the bar. But he'd do anything to keep her safe. Even from him.

These two had so much tension between each other it's no wonder they were explosive together. There was underlying sexual tension neither were willing to explore no matter how much they wanted one another. After losing their parents, their lives got thrown off track even more and now they are both on the run. The sex was hot, the chemistry even hotter.
Profile Image for ➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas .
1,172 reviews341 followers
February 9, 2016
Abigail had nothing left. Kaiden had left 3 years ago, Kaiden left home at 18 because of his feelings for Abigail. Abigail being only 15 at the time he wanted her to have a chance at a normal love. Then he fall in with a bad crowd, and needed help from his parents. They had mortgage their house, and use her college fund to post his bail. Then her parents died, and Abigail had nowhere to go but to Kaiden's.. What is a girl to do? Luckily she gets her step brother (Kaiden) to let her move in, but the feelings start to surface hard and fast again .

This is a standalone book,
Profile Image for Caroline.
442 reviews21 followers
July 19, 2015
I got this book from the author for an honest review, thank you and here goes.

This book was ok. The beginning had me not liking kaiden for the way he was treating abigail after she had to move in with him. Once they realised what there feelings were things got heated but it didn't last long. I started to really enjoy the book as it was good but then it went boring again to me. I really wish I could of gave it more but it was my sort of book but wasn't in place. Xx
Profile Image for RCK *don’t be all, like, uncool*.
782 reviews64 followers
Read
August 1, 2015
DNF at 40%

I tried.. (I really did) to overlook the non stop "my brother" shit but it got to be too much especially once the h started saying "my sister". Its STEP please!! Makes such a difference.
Profile Image for Babel.
2,344 reviews196 followers
July 25, 2015
Hot and intense, just what the doctor orders ;o)

At least to quell my thirst for this kind of good stepbrother stories. I could really feel the tension, the frustrating separation, and the bittersweet attraction the characters had for each other.

Sure, Kaiden starts off as a real jerk but that only adds to the emotional turmoil Abigail is going through. She feels abandoned, isolated, against the wall without money, a future or love. I really liked how she tries to fight for herself, but fails miserably to disengage herself completely from her need for Kaiden. And that man in tortured, tattooed and has a tongue piercing that is as promising as hit hot/cold attitude towards Abigail. He harbours criminal secrets that I was craving to uncover!

As the plot thickens, all the frustration and denial turn into a blast of adrenaline, dirty violence and writhing lust. It's a rollercoaster of danger, fear, lust and raw addiction. Like Bonnie and Clyde, they run and fight to be free and together. I loved that part. Though I was a bit torn too. I had the impression that Kaiden had already done a bad deed that he later agonises over doing again?

And I also was pretty upset with him for being so protective one minute, but pushing Abigail away the next :o(
The pace of the story is frenetic and just flies like a jet. Regarding style, sometimes the tenses mix up between present and past, but the rest is easy, fast, relatable and emotional. This is my first taste from this author and I'm as excited now as I was when I began reading this crazy, lusty adventure.

Favourite quote: What am I doing? Why does my heart keep tugging me towards pain?
Profile Image for Fatmata Sankoh.
1,322 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2015
I received a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. So before I go any further I would like to thank the author (Alex Abbott) for giving me the opportunity.

The beginning of this book was very intriguing and I was engaged by it but then when their relationship started changing, I started bouncing in and out of it. I cringe at times when they refer to their related relationship where it wasn't necessary. I do understand that it is a taboo romantic read and all that, but this makes me want to skip pass it.

However I do love their connection. Kaiden had been there for Abigail from the start and it was great to see that he always looked out for her, even though there was a strain in their relationship. I couldn't help but fall in love with them after all that they had been through and it was very emotional at times when they were reliving their past.

The writing and storyline are brilliant and I couldn't fault it. It was a good read and if you are looking for a stepbrother romance that is easy to read with fab storyline and a bit of thrill thrown in then this book is definitely for you.
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